The Boeing Company

Richard Jay Gardner

James D Cotton

Karl J Schaefer

Liisa Charlie Hammer

Karen Chiyono Takatani

David R Smith

Kevin F Malik

John R Amell

David Curtis Smith

Amy May

Chuck Eggleston

Andrea K Pidduck

Peter J Gaul

James Dean Cotton

Techniques for obtaining materials science properties of soft tissue for use in a damage model for ameliorating injuries in an individual performing a process are presented. The techniques can include obtaining physical parameters characterizing the soft tissue of the individual under each of a plurality of loading conditions, fitting a soft tissue damage model based on the parameters, and ameliorating injury in performing the process by implementing guidelines based on the soft tissue damage model.

Characterizing soft tissue stress for ameliorating injury in performing a process

Disclosed techniques for performing a process can include performing, by a plurality of subjects, a first repetitive movement with a specified stress or strain per cycle; analyzing for soft tissue disorganization or partially torn soft tissue in each of the plurality of subjects; generating an association relating stress or strain to a number of cycles that cause a transition to subrupture damaged tissue or to incomplete tear damaged tissue; measuring a stress or strain per cycle for a second repetitive movement that makes up the process; determining a limit on a number of cycles of the second repetitive movement intended to avoid at least one of: a transition to subrupture damaged soft tissue or to incomplete tear damage tissue; and performing the second repetitive movement as part of the process while ensuring that no individual subject exceeds the limit on the number of cycles of the second repetitive movement.

Characterizing soft tissue subrupture damage and incomplete tear damage for performing a process

A system and method of planning an operational task of a workplace collects data related to at least one task. An ergonomic risk score of each task is generated. A determination is made if the ergonomic risk score is acceptable. An option is provided to a user to proceed with the plan if the ergonomic risk score is acceptable. An option is provided to the user to redesign at least a portion of the plan.

Method for managing ergonomic risk exposure in manufacturing

Ladder support apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes positioning a ladder having first and second pairs of legs in an operating position suitable for supporting a user. A ladder support assembly clampably coupled to the ladder, the ladder support assembly including at least one elongated member extending between a respective one of the first and second pairs of legs of the ladder, the elongated member being clampably coupled to the respective one of the first and second pairs of legs of the ladder by first and second coupling assemblies positioned at spaced-apart positions on the elongated member. The ladder is supported with the ladder support assembly on, for example, a non-uniform surface.

Ladder support apparatus and methods

Ladder support apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a support assembly adapted for use with a ladder includes at least one elongated member adapted to extend between first and second legs of the ladder when the ladder is positioned in an operating position. First and second coupling assemblies are coupled to the elongated member at spaced-apart positions on the elongated member. The first and second coupling assemblies are adapted to be clampably coupled to the first and second legs of the ladder, respectively. The support assembly advantageously permits the ladder to be operated over non-uniform surfaces without permanent modification of the ladder.

Growing community of inventors

Brier, WA, United States of America

Richard Jay Gardner